Which place is cheaper, Lake Garda or Setubal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Setubal or Lake Garda?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Lake Garda can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Setubal or Lake Garda?
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySetubal €123Lake Garda €166
The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €123, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is €166. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Setubal and Lake Garda in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSetubal €59Lake Garda €84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSetubal €118Lake Garda €168
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Lake Garda
Looking for a hotel in Setubal or Lake Garda? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Setubal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Setubal €54Lake Garda €66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $197
- Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $148
- Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda
Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128
- Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Lake Garda?
Prices for flights to both Lake Garda and Setubal change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySetubal €35Lake Garda €42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Private Cooking Class with Meal : $65
- Valpolicella Wine and Food Tour: $75
- Cusina - Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta with wine tasting: $86
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Setubal €12Lake Garda €30
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $44
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Évora Tales and Legends Walking Tour from Évora: $55
- Évora With Love Walking Tours: $55
- Évora: Christian Heritage Private Walking Tour: $64
- Évora: Private Walking Tour: $64
- 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel : $49
- 4x4 and Boat Tour in Arrabida Natural Park: $98
- Arrábida Jeep 4x4 tour to Arrábida, the most beautiful beach of Europe: $93
- Arrábida National Park Rock Climbing Experience: $128
- Arrábida Natural Park: Stand Up Paddleboard Tour and Lesson: $53
- Arrábida Nature Jeep Tour: $64
Tours and Activities in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
- 2 Hours Walking and Boat Tour in Sirmione Highlights: $53
- Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
- Best of Sirmione with Boat Tour and Grotte di Catullo : $97
- Boat Tour of the Islands of Lake Garda with Aperitif: $76
- Canyoning "Vione" - advanced tour, for sportive beginner: $106
- Dolomites Full-Day Tour from Lake Garda: $75
- Dolomites Full-day Tour from Lake Garda: $76
- Experience in Sirmione Lake Garda: $98
- Fabulous Heritage of Sirmione - Walking Tour: $185
- From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49
- From Dolomites Bus Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySetubal €10Lake Garda €19
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $56
- Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $71
- Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $76
- Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $106
- Wine Tour, discovering the famous Setúbal Moscatel: $137
- Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour from Lisbon : $152
- Private Wine Tour from Lisbon to Arrábida: Wine & Cheese Tasting: $170
Sample the Local Flavors in Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bardolino: Wine tasting at Cantina Valetti: $26
- Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $32
- Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $32
- Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $42
- Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $42
- Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $44
- Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $55
- E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $87
- E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $87
- Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $90
- Castles boat tour with Bardolino wine tasting and nibbles: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. And not only is Setubal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Setubal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Setubal and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda than you might in Setubal.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Setubal Expensive? and Is Lake Garda Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Setubal or Lake Garda?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Setubal or Lake Garda in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Lake Garda. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Setubal is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Setubal in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lake Garda this time of the year. In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Setubal usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySetubal 23°C (73°F)Lake Garda 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Lake Garda in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Lake Garda. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.
In October, Setubal is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 19°C (66°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In the autumn, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.
Setubal usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lake Garda. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSetubal 19°C (66°F)Lake Garda 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Lake Garda in the Winter?
Both Lake Garda and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Lake Garda. Setubal is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Setubal. In January, Setubal usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySetubal 12°C (53°F)Lake Garda 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Lake Garda in the Spring?
Both Lake Garda and Setubal during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Setubal is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Setubal in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the spring, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.
Setubal usually gets less rain in April than Lake Garda. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSetubal 16°C (60°F)Lake Garda 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Setubal
| Setubal | Lake Garda | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.